The Birmingham-born defender has also worn the captain’s armband in the absence of regular skipper Micah Richards, but he has become the subject of intense criticism over recent months after a string of poor performances and controversial incidents.

While the majority of Villa’s players are allegedly facing a 50 percent pay cut due to relegation clauses in their contracts, the club are still believed to be desperate to overhaul the squad in an effort to balance the books and repair a fragmented dressing room.

Lescott, whose reported £35,000-per-week deal expires in 2017, is an obvious candidate to be shown the exit door over the summer given his age and declining form and is said to be one of several veterans who are set to be deemed expendable.

Finding a potential suitor for the ex-England international will doubtless be easier than done, but the Daily Mail claim that Villa could ultimately explore the option of paying off the remainder of his contract early to ensure he leaves.

Freddie Shires

Freddie is a freelance sports writer, having recently completed an MA in Sports Journalism at St. Mary’s University, Twickenham. With an especially keen interest in all things American sports-related, he has written extensively about the NFL, MLS and the U.S. national team for various sites.